Alex Neal-Bullen appeared on SEN this morning and this is what he said.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/02/25/the-sliding-door-moment-that-sparked-neal-bullen/

Listen (stream) - https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/?id=176037

Listen (download) - 6525e8-neal-bulen.mp3

 

Remember draft night they said he slipped down the draft and some experts had him going in the late teens?  Yeah its looking like he should have gone round 1, very good player.

We are in good shape when our 'B' team mids include ANB, Salem, Harmes, Brayshaw etc - that is a lot of depth, Nibbler is a dangerous forward too usually kicks 1-2 goals a game

Love this bloke.  I said a few days ago that he has been our most improved player over the last 18 months, and he is a prime example of the type of players we now have on our list - hard working, willing to learn and they always give 100% out on the field.

Very smart footballer.

has come on in leaps and bounds

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

Love this bloke.  I said a few days ago that he has been our most improved player over the last 18 months, and he is a prime example of the type of players we now have on our list - hard working, willing to learn and they always give 100% out on the field.

I also like the way he presents off-field. I'm not sure if that wins games but I like it anyway.

53 minutes ago, Stretch Johnson said:

Very smart footballer.

Agree. Makes really good decsions.

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

Love this bloke.  I said a few days ago that he has been our most improved player over the last 18 months, and he is a prime example of the type of players we now have on our list - hard working, willing to learn and they always give 100% out on the field.

I was wrong on this bloke, I hated his disposal. He has improved with hard work to be a regular.

2 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Love this bloke.  I said a few days ago that he has been our most improved player over the last 18 months, and he is a prime example of the type of players we now have on our list - hard working, willing to learn and they always give 100% out on the field.

Exactly Wise.  I'd much prefer to have half a dozen players of Nibbler's ilk on our list than 2 or 3 superstars.  They are harder for the opposition to cover, and they are often  less likely to drop their heads when the chips are down.  The type of players that typify the culture we are trying to build, and the type of players who reflect the 'winning habits' that Goody frequently talks about..  The recipe s coming together!

3 hours ago, P-man said:

 

Like i said earlier.... GO YOU GOOD THING !! (ps my post was from August, and ii was all over the kid before that :p)

Love the way he goes about it.

Edited February 26, 20187 yr by ding
because my clipping skills suck

Just watched the replay. How about his pass in the first quarter to Tom McDonald? Sizzling stuff.

Edited February 26, 20187 yr by Demon Jack

3 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

Very smart footballer.

Works bloody hard up and down the ground and gets to space because of the work rate. Exciting season ahead for him.

4 hours ago, sisso said:

We are in good shape when our 'B' team mids include ANB, Salem, Harmes, Brayshaw etc - that is a lot of depth, Nibbler is a dangerous forward too usually kicks 1-2 goals a game

B grade mids for now. However Nibbler and Angus not far off A graders. 

His rate of improvement is phenomenal.

The other player that has looked twice the player is Harmes.  He could be a revelation as a rotating mid.

Plus, of course, Melksham, who really is a class footballer and a difficult matchup.  

In fact, many players are elevating their game.

9 minutes ago, ProDee said:

His rate of improvement is phenomenal.

The other player that has looked twice the player is Harmes.  He could be a revelation as a rotating mid.

Plus, of course, Melksham, who really is a class footballer and a difficult matchup.  

In fact, many players are elevating their game.

I think the 3 you've mentioned here are huge surprises (to me, anyway).  They're more than just 'role-players'; their footy smarts and unique skill-sets are very damaging.  ANB's vision and awareness, Melksham's zone breaking left-hoof and Harmes' attack on the ball and man, open up many options in and leading into attack.

You need this kind of left-field improvement to be a successful side.

I thought, with a bit of luck, ANB could develop into a handy inside mid.  He is now a genuinely dangerous half-forward who reads the play, find space and creates for those around him.  Full credit to him and the coaching staff!

 

 

 

Still a B grade mid. I have Harmes ahead of him. If Alex can learn to mark above his head his stocks will rise considerably.

My disappointment is in his best mate #15.  I really want him to progress the way Alex has..come on Billy giddy-up!!

Thing about ANB is he doesn't have anything stamped on him to say what kind of player he is. No neon light like there is on Trac, "beast with X factor", or Oliver "extractor par excellence", or Hunt "dasher".

He looks pretty nondescript as a player. But there he is ... just getting in the right spot again and again, doing handy things and kicking goals. He just keeps doing it. West Coast had an entire team of ANBs in the 90's. (and one Jakovich)

You think "what is his best position?" Doesn't really matter ... the kid can play football. Just get him out on the park. Compare with "athlete" types like Majak Daw or Mason Cox who do the occasional good thing but mostly just look lost.

We've definitely come a long way from people calling for his delisting 15 months ago

He was a great VFL player his first season, you could see he had some great ability. Hopefully he can take it to another level this year.

Not a bad year for recruiting. Petracca, Brayshaw, ANB, Stretch and O McDonald in the draft and Garlett as a trade. (Also picked up Lumumba, and lost Frawley and Clark) 

19 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Not a bad year for recruiting. Petracca, Brayshaw, ANB, Stretch and O McDonald in the draft and Garlett as a trade. (Also picked up Lumumba, and lost Frawley and Clark) 

On consideration, I would be willing to swap Lumumbe, Frawley and Clark for Petracca, Brayshaw, ANB, Stretch and O Mac.

2 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

My disappointment is in his best mate #15.  I really want him to progress the way Alex has..come on Billy giddy-up!!

Agree.  I think Billy has most of the same wepons, skill set and personal trays - speed, attack on the football, work rate and proffesionalisim.  Watched him closely on Saturday and it just doesn't seem to be clicking for him at the moment.  If there is perhaps one key thing he might lack in comparison to Nibbler it's vision and decision making with the football.

ANB reminds me of a young Lenny Hayes. The difference between ANB and Stretch is one is playing on instinct and with confidence the other appears to be overthinking every move and worried to make an error so takes safe options. He comes across as very robotic at present and may just need to relax and take some chances. Hopefully it al comes together for him soon.